Thermometer centrifuge



Feb. 10, 1948. E. w. 'HINTSALA THERMOMETER GENTRIFUGE Filed D80. 21, 1945 Eino 14 H/nfsa/a 6 No: "my

Patented Feb. 1Q, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE {Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) 2 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to sling centrifuges, and it is particularly directed to a fever thermometer sling centrifuge.

It is the usual practice, when taking temperatures. to shake the thermometer with a wrist snap motion to force the mercury column down between successive temperature readings of the same or different patients. This method is quite satisfactory where only occasional readings are required. Conditions frequently exist, however, which necessitate taking temperature readings of a relatively large number of patients within a comparative short period of time. Likewise, fever thermometers have been provided with individual cases having a string, chain, or the like secured thereto for readjusting the thermometer reading by centrifugal force. However, no means has been provided, so far as I am aware for readjustina a plurality of fever thermometers rapidly and efficiently.

t is among the objects of this invention to provide a device for readjusting a plurality of fever thermometers by centrifugal action.

Another object is to provide a device of the class described which may be operated in a minimum of time and with but a minimum of effort. 7

Still another object is to provide a device of the class described which may be easily and economicaly fabricated by unskilled workmen; and one which will be eificient and durable when used by even the most unskilled persons.

, The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more fully understood from reading the specification in conjunction with the drawings, forming a part hereof, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the device of this invention in open position;

Fig. 2 is a detail cross-sectional view of the evice taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view of the device in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device in closed position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device when closed. rolled and tied; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the device when in use.

Referring to the drawings, the device of the present invention comprises a suitable back member I. formed preferably of a sheet of flexible material such as cloth. This back member I has pockets? positionedthereon, the same being pref erably formed by providing an overlapping projection 3 on each end of the said back member and stitching the projections 3 tothe back member leaving the inward end 4 open. A series of longitudinal stitches 5 secure the projections 3 to the back member I and define a plurality of longitudinal pockets 2 which are adapted to receive fever thermometers, as shown at 6. The size of the projections 3 and back member I are such that the thermometers when inserted in the pockets 2 protrude beyond the said overlapping projection 3 towards but short of the center of the back member i, thereby providing increased accessibility.

The transverse center line of the back member l is provided with a flex ble cord 8 which is secured thereto. A cover sheet 9 of sufficient length to overlap the gap between the series of pockets on the ends of the back member I is positioned over said gap and stitched to the back member I on each side of the cord 8, thus providing a flap cover for each series of pockets. This cover sheet 9 protects the protruding ends of the thermometer 6 when they are folded upon each other.

In order to secure the device when in rolled condition and when subjected to centrifugal force, a thong or securing cord II is secured to the back member I. This cord is preferably secured to the back member I by a single stitch at the transverse and longitudinal mid-point of the back member I when in folded position. The free ends of the cord may be tied around the back member when folded and rolled. to secure the thermometers in a compact package and prevent loose play therebetween. This relationship is illustrated in Fig. 5.

Apertures I2 are provided in the back member I adjacent the transverse cord 8. Threaded through these apertures I 2 and around the transverse cord 8 are sling cords I4 providing an eyelet I5 formed around the cord 8. There are preferably two of these cords I4 positioned so as to be substantially diametrically opposed when the device is rolled and tied. The free ends of the cords I4 are provided with eyelets I6 for convenience in rasp In operation, fever thermometers 6 are inserted in the pockets 2 with the bul s of the thermometers disposed outwardly. The cover sheet 9 is flattened over the protruding ends 'of the thermometers, and the device folded, rolled and secured by tying the securing cord II therearound. The device is rapidly whirled by the sling cords I4 for a few turns, three or four revolutions usually being sufficient to force the thermometer mercury columns down.

The device of this invention has been rather specifically described. Many modifications may be made, however, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A device for readjusting fever thermometers comprising an elongated back member of flexible material, a plurality of pockets arranged with the open end toward the transverse center line of said back member, cover means secured to said back member at said transverse center line and adapted to overlie the open end of said pockets, means attached to the back member for securing said back member in folded and rolled condition, and means secured to said back member for manually subjecting said device to centrifugal force.

2. A device for readjusting fever thermometers comprising an elongated back member of flexible material, a cord secured along the transverse center line of said back member dividing said member into two parts, a plurality of pockets secured to each part of said back member and having the open ends thereof extending toward said cord, means securing said back member parts in superimposed position, and sling means secured to said cord."

EINO W. HINTSALA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 785,635 Peterson Mar. 21, 1905 1,333,601 Black Mar. 16, 1920 1,589,430 Russell June 22, 1926 1,651,490 Walker Dec. 6, 1927 1,839,944 Barthels Jan. 5, 1932 FOREIGN. PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain Feb. 22, 1926 

